The  Peogkess  or  Civilization  in  the  United  States. 


'^TERARY  fioGIETIE8 


)F  riiK 


^Ittivevsiti)  0f  f  0tttlt  (l^av0Utta, 


AT  COI.UMBrA.  S.  C  JUNE  80tli,  187], 


IJV 


HENRY    W.  MILLIARD, 


.  COLUMBIA,  a  C:  ^ 

I      CAROLINA  FEINTING  COMPANY'S  BOOK  AND  JOB  OFFICE.    !  \ 

1871. 


Geo?^ge  Washington  Flowers 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

ESTABLISHED  BY  THE 
FAMILY  OF 

COLONEL  FLOWERS 


Pamphlet  Collection 
Duke  University  Libmiy 


The  Peogress  OF  Civilization  u  the  United  States. 


DELIVERED  BEfeORE  THe" 


JiTERARY.  ■:SociETi:iiS 


OF  THE 


AT  COLUMBIA,  S.  C,  JUNE  SOtli,  1871., 


BY 


HENRY   W.  HILLIARD, 


COLUMBIA,  S.  C.:  ^ 
CAEOLINA  FEINTING  OOMFANY'S  BOOE  AND  JOB  OFFICE. 

1871. 


Pamphlet  v^ulicction 
Duke  University  Library 


o  n  A..T  I  o  isr. 


Standing  here  to-day,  memories  crowd  upon  me  that  could  be 
awakened  by  no  other  spot  in  the  wide  world.  The  genius  of  the 
place  asserts  its  supremacy  over  me.  I  can  speak  of  nothing  else 
until  I  have  paid  ray  tribute  to  it.  Here  some  of  the  brightest 
years  of  my  life  were  passed.  In  these  halls,  consecrated  to  learn- 
ing, I  received  instruction  from  men  distinguished  for  their  attain- 
ments and  their  virtues  —  not  one  of  whom  survives.  Through 
these  grounds  I  walked  in  friendly  intercourse  with  those  who,  in 
the  strength  of  youth,  and  full  of  generous  ardor,  welcomed  every 
morning  with  joy,  and  saw  every  evening  sun  shed  the  glory  of 
hope  upon  the  scene  that  it  gilded  with  its  beams. 

The  College  was  in  its  glory.  It  took  rank  with  the  noblest  in- 
stitutions in  the  land.  It  already  counted  among  its  graduates 
men  of  renown — Preston,  whose  brilliant  oratory  has  never  been 
rivalled  in  our  times ;  McDuffie,  whose  fier)^  eloquence  recalled 
the  triumphs  of  Demosthenes  ;  Legare,  whose  rich  and  varied 
learning  was  displayed  in  the  forum,  through  the  press,  and  in  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  ;  and  others  who  were  accustomed  to. 
visit  this  great  institution,  to  cheer  us  with  their  presence,  and  to 
guide  us  by  their  counsels. 

Columbia  was  not  only  the  seat  of  Government — it  was  unri- 
valled for  the  elegance,  the  refinement,  the  culture  of  its  society. 
It  possessed  every  attraction.  Men,  eminent  for  their  talents,  their 
learning,  their  virtues,  their  hospitality, their  public  spirit;  women, 
whose  beauty  was  only  rivalled  by  their  grace  and  accomplishments, 
and  whose  purity  gave  them  a  price  far  above  rubies,  walked  its 
streets  and  adorned  its  homes.  AVealth,  refinement,  learning,  elo- 
cjuence  and  taste  distinguished  it,  and  made  it  as  remarkable  in  this 
country,  at  that  time,  as  Athens  was  in  Greece  in  the  days  of  Pericles. 

South  Carolina  shone  with  full-orbed  splendor  in  the  great  con- 
stellation of  States  that  formed  the  American  Union.  Her  public 
men  shed  lustre  upon  her  name,  and  took  the  foremost  rank  among 
the  statesmen  who  at  that  time  filled  the  great  places  of  trust  in 
the  Republic  and  adorned  its  councils. 

Since  that  time  I  have  seen  much  of  the  great  world  —  at  hon|| 
and  abroad.  I  have  borne  my  part  in  the  discbarge  of  public 
duties.    I  have  experienced  the  vicissitudes  of  fortune.    The  lights 


4 


ORATION. 


and  shadows  of  life  have  fallen  across  my  path ;  but  my  love  for 
this  place  has  never  been  chilled.  I  come  now,  gentlemen,  at  your 
invitation,  to  re-visit  it.  I  thank  you  for  the  honor  that  you  have 
conferred  on  me. 

I  should  be  very  insensible  to  what  is  impressive,  if  I  did  not 
feel  the  ennobling  influence  of  this  scene.  These  classic  halls, 
crowning  an  eminence  of  one  of  our  most  beautiful  Southern  cities; 
this  brilliant  assemblage,  representing  the  whole  State ;  the  presence 
of  those  who  have  been  fitted  here  for  the  varied  tasks  that  await 
them  in  the  great  world  which  they  are  about  to  enter;  the  recol- 
lections that  sadden,  and  the  hopes  that  cheer  this  hour,  constitute 
a  picture  of  far  higher  interest  than  any  ever  j^ainted  by  the  hand 
of  Claude  Lorraine.  We  shall  never  forget  this  scene ;  but  we 
shall  never  take  part  in  it  again.  It  is  one  of  those  rare  occasions 
in  human  life  when  a  goodly  company  stand  for  an  hour  upon  some 
eminence  that  overlooks  the  past,  the  pieseut  and  the  future,  and 
then  descend  to  the  common  plane  of  the  world,  to  take  their  sev- 
eral ways  through  untried  and  unknown  scenes. 

Very  few,  if  any,  of  us  saw  the  opening  of  the  present  century; 
but  some  will  4oubtless  witness  the  glowing  orb  that  lights  it 
descend  beneath  the  horizon  that  bounds  it.  Is  the  race  advancing 
in  civilization  with  the  march  of  the  centuries? 

In  sixteen  hundred  and  thirty-three  Galileo  was  in  Rome.  He 
had  vindicated  the  truth  of  the  system  long  before  taught  by  Co- 
pernicus, known  as  the  solar  system.  The  sun,  in  the  centre  of 
revolving  worlds,  holds  them  in  their  orbits,  and  they  move  about 
him,  each  in  its  respective  order.  This  theory  was  in  conflict  with 
popular  opinion,  and  was  denounced  as  a  flat  contradiction  of  the 
teachings  of  the  Bible.  Did  not  the  whole  world  see  the  flaming 
sun  sweeping  about  the  globe  ?  Did  not  the  Scriptures  speak  of 
the  rising  of  the  sun  and  its  going  down  ?  When  Israel  fought 
with  the  Amorites,  and  the  victorious  troops  of  Joshua  were  driving 
the  enemy  before  them  with  great  slaughter,  did  not  that  great 
Captain  command  the  sun  to  stand  still  over  Gideon,  and  the  moon 
over  the  valley  of  Ajalon  ?  It  was  rank  heresy  to  believe  what 
Galileo  taught.  Arrested  and  imprisoned  in  the  dungeons  of  the 
Inquisition,  the  great  philosopher  knelt  in  the  presence  of  an 
assembly  of  ignorant  Monks,  and,  with  his  hand  on  the  Gospel, 
made  a  solemn  renunciation  of  the  astronomical  truths  that  he  had 
so  clearly  taught  and  so  vigorously  maintained.  His  voice,  sound- 
j||g  in  the  sombre  hall  of  the  Inquisition — "  Corde  sineero,  et  fide 
nonfida  ahjuro,  vialedico  et  detestor  sujoradictos  errores  et  hereses" — 
had  in  its  deep  tones  a  ring  of  suppressed  passion.    He  rose,  and, 


ORATION. 


5 


no  longer  able  to  control  his  indignation,  he  stamped  his  foot  and 
exclaimed:  "And  yet  it  3I0Ves  I"  He  was  condemned  to  suffer 
an  indefinite  term  of  imprisonment,  and  to  repeat  every  week  for 
three  years  the  seven  penitential  Psalms  of  David.  Subsequently 
banished,  he  took  up  his  residence,  under  restraint,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Florence. 

Standing  here  to-day,  in  the  presence  of  this  great  assemblage  —  in 
the  midst  of  objects  that  remind  us  of  ruined  hopes  and  the  failure 
of  grand  enterprises  —  under  these  Southern  skies  —  looking  out 
upon  plains  so  lately  desolated  by  the  rude  hoof  of  war  —  I  take  up 
the  words  of  Galileo,  and,  applying  them  to  the  progress  of  civili- 
zation in  this  country,  I  assert  that  "  the  world  moves.'" 

There  is  an  unceasing  conflict  between  the  Present  and  the  Future. 
Surrounded  by  objects  that  we  recognize,  we  are  reluctant  to  ad- 
vance. The  unknown  is  strange,  and  we  question  it  at  every  step, 
just  as  a  child  fears  to  enter  a  forest.  The  dominion  of  ideas  is 
sometimes  absolute.  There  is  no  despotism  so  despotic  as  public 
opinion.  The  world  has  more  than  once  stoned  its  prophets.  Still, 
we  must  advance.  Shall  we  seat  ourselves  at  the  base  of  the  Pyra- 
mids, and  refuse  to  believe  that,  under  other  skies^  there  exist  fairer 
architectural  structures  than  these  ?  or  shall  we  linger  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Nile,  and  await  its  annual  overflow,  fearing  that 
nowhere  else,  in  all  the  world,  the  earth  will  yield  its  increase  ? 
Marius,  seated  upon  the  ruins  of  Carthage,  finds  consolation  in  con- 
templating the  desolation  that  is  in  harmony  with  his  own  broken 
fortunes.  But  must  he  rest  there  ?  or  shall  he  rouse  himself  to  new- 
exertions,  and  dare  the  future  ?  Shall  he  waste  his  life  in  exile  ? 
or  shall  he  return  once  more  to  Rome,  to  crush  his  enemies  ? 

"  Why  sitt'st  thou  dreaming  o'er  the  ruins 
Of  a  noble  Past,  made  helpless 
By  the  bitter  wreck  of  all  its  grand  interests  ? 
Up,  noble  soul  —  bereft  and  exiled 
As  thou  art  — go  forth,  and  meet  thy  fate 
%  "With  courage,  patient  and  supreme ; 
The  gods  may  yet  accord  to  thee 
A  Future,  in  whose  grand  fiaiition 
Thou  shalt  forget  e'en  the  lost 
Aspirations  tliat  now  so  wring 
Thy  bold,  heroic  heart.  ' 

Shall  we  in  these  Southern  States  sit  down,  like  Tennyson's  lotus 
eaters,  and  say: 

"  Let  us  alone  !    Time  driveth  onward  fast, 
And  in  a  little  Avhile  our  lips  are  dumb. 
Let  us  alone  !    What  is  it  that  will  last  ? 
All  things  are  taken  from  us,  and  become 

Portions  and  parcels  of  the  dreadful  Past.  # 
Let  us  alone  !" 

This  is  simply  ignoble.     Let  us  advance  !     The  whole  world  is 


6 


ORATION. 


in  active  movement.  The  march  of  civilization — sometimes  hin- 
dered by  adverse  events  —  is  still  onward!  The  world  is  yet  young. 
I  believe  that  it  is  but  in  its  spring-time.  Those  who  would  teach 
us  that  it  has  almost  run  its  race,  and  predict  a  speedy  termination 
of  its  course,  will  not  number  us  among  their  disciples.  Some  cen- 
turies have  gone  by  since,  seated  upon  the  plains  of  the  East,  under 
the  serene  sky,  the  patriarchs  looked  up  to  see  Arcturus  and  his 
sons  go  out  upon  their  golden  courses,  and  the  Pleiades  burning  in 
their  ample  circuit;  and  yet  the  world  has  the  dew  of  youth  on  its 
brow.  There  are  no  signs  of  decay.  Not  only  has  Time  written 
no  wrinkle  on  the  azure  brow  of  the  ocean,  but  the  great  mountains, 
and  the  illimitable  forests,  stand  out  beneath  the  stars  in  the 
strength  of  their  prime. 

Our  race  has  much  to  learn,  and  much  to  do.  In  every  depart- 
ment of  life  the  way  is  open  to  exploration.  If  Columbus  had 
listened  to  the  counsels  of  the  timid,  would  he  have  spread  his 
adventurous  sails  upon  unknoAvn  seas  ?  or  still  dared  the  untried 
and  unknown  solitudes  of  the  ocean,  where  he  was  compelled  to 
keep  two  reckonings  —  one  for  his  mutinous  crew,  the  true  one  for 
his  own  inspection  —  when  he  observed,  for. the  first  time,  the  varia- 
tion of  the  needle,  as  if  he  were  sailing  into  realms  where  the 
known  laws  of  nature  did  not  prevail?  Courage !  Let  us  go  forward. 

Great  progress  has  been  made  in  civilization  ;  but  nothing,  in 
this  world  of  ours,  is  complete:  Neither  science, nor  art,  nor  politi- 
cal economy,  nor  that  highest  of  all  arts  or  all  sciences  —  what  we 
call  Government.  Everything  may  be  searched,  questioned,  ex- 
plored, in  the  hope  of  making  new  discoveries,  and  advancing  the 
outposts  of  civilization.  I  say  everything.  Of  course  I  do  not 
include  the  department  of  moral  truth.  There  can  be  no  discove- 
ries made  in  that  domain.  Everything  that  is  known  to  us  of  our 
relations  to  the  invisible  world  is  a  pure  disclosure.  The  most 
powerful  glasses  may  be  turned  upon  the  heaven  of  divine  truth, 
but  they  will  bring  to  view  nothing  new.  "We  may  frequent  solitary 
places,  and  bend  the  listening  ear  toward  the  world  that  lies  beyond 
the  boundary  of  our  globe,  but  the  silence  remains  unbroken. 
Revelation  makes  us  acquainted  with  all  that  we  know  of  the 
invisible.  "  Canst  thou,  by  searching,  find  out  God  ?"  ^Ye  may  sit 
down  and  learn  what  is  taught  us.  We  may  look  deeply  into  the 
great  disclosures.  Like  the  ambassador  of  Queen  Candace,  we 
may  spread  out  the  pages  of  inspired  truth,  and,  if  ignorant  of 
their  meaning,  ask :  "  Of  w^hom  speaketh  the  prophet  thus  ?  of  him- 
self, or  of  some  other  man?"  But  our  feet  may  not  pass  that 
boundary.    "We  may  dream  dreams,  and  see  visions,  but  that  is  all. 


ORATIOX. 


7 


We  may  indulge  in  speculations,  and  construct  an  ideal  world,  and 
linger  upon  the  boundary  that  separates  the  visible  from  the  invisi- 
ble ;  we  may,  like  Manfred, 

"  Breatlip  tlie  difficult  air  of 
The  iced  mountain  tops,  and 
Outwatcli  the  stars 

we  may  invoke  the  inhabitants  of  that  undiscovered  country  to 
speak  to  us;  but  that  is  the  utmost  that  our  enterprise  can  accom- 
plish. No  authentic  voice  breaks  the  silence  that  reigns  over  that 
region.  If  we  would  aid  the  progress  of  moral  truth  we  must  be- 
come disciples  of  the  Great  Teacher,  and  contribute  what  we  can  to 
spread  the  influence  of  the  inspired  writers  over  human  thought 
and  human  life.  He  does  most  for  civilization  who  is  most  success- 
ful in  extending  the  lines  of  that  great  kingdom  destined  to  attain 
complete  supremacy  over  the  whole  world,  and  to  erect  trophies 
of  its  resistless  power  that  shall  survive  the  proudest  monuments 
of  earthly  glory.  But  in  all  else — all  that  belongs  to  the  heave"ns 
above  us,  or  to  the  earth  beneath  our  feet,  or  to  the  waters  under 
the  earth — we  may  push  our  inquiries  with  unmeasured  boldness,  in 
the  hope  of  making  discoveries  far  more  important  than  any  yet 
made  known  to  the  world. 

I  have  spoken  explicitly,  because,  while  I  wish  to  rouse  my 
countrymen  to  an  energetic  participation  in  all  that  concerns  the 
progress  of  civilization,  and  to  inspire  them  with  hope  for  the  future 
of  our  country,  I  would  give  no  encouragement  to  that  audacious 
spirit  which  assails  everything  that  is  venerable  —  which  fears  not 
God,  neither  regards  man  —  and  which  would  spread  over  society 
a  confusion  so  utter  as  to  cause  us  at  once  to  lose  sight  of  the  mon- 
uments that  protect  liberty,  and  of  the  landmarks  that  show  us  the 
way  to  heaven.  Let  us  take  part  in  the  great  movement  that  is 
going  on  all  over  the  world.  Is  the  eagle  to  rest  upon  the  crag  that 
shelters  the  nest  from  which  he  ventured  forth  ?  or  shall  he  spread 
his  stroiif  wings  and  soar  heavenward  until  they  flash  in  the  sun, 
and  unscale  his  eye,  that  he  may  look  out  upon  the  wide  landscape 
beneath  him,  and  startle  his  prey  with  the  wild  scream  that  makes 
the  rocks  reverberate,  and  learn  to  battle  with  the  storm,  and  to 
take  the  lesser  creatures,  upon  which  he  feeds,  in  his  talons,  and 
tear  them  with  his  fierce  beak  ? 

Does  any  man  doubt  that  the  world  moves?  Let  him  stand  here 
and  throw  a  glance  over  the  centuries  that  have  gone  over  it  since 
men  began  to  gather  into  communities  upon  the  plains  of  the  East, 
and  observe  the  progress  of  society.  The  characteristics  of  the 
civilization  of  even  the  later  periods,  which  are  set  down  in  the 


8 


OEATION. 


annals  of  the  world  as  particularly  bright  and  fortunate,  are  in 
broad  contrast  with  our  own  time.  No  longer  is  an  age  baptised 
with  the  name  of  an  illustrious  person.  No  longer  do  we  speak  of 
any  modern  period  as  identified  with  the  name  of  a  liberal  patron 
of  learning  —  as  the  Augustan  age;  or  with  the  splendor  of  impe- 
rial rule —  as  the  age  of  Charlemagne;  or  with  the  glory  of  a 
long  and  prosperous  reign  —  as  the  age  of  Elizabeth.  All  this 
has  gone  by.  It  would  strike  the  ear  of  the  world  now  as  strange 
to  hear  this  time  of  ours  called  by  any  man's  name.  The  age 
belongs  to  the  people — and  the  great  characteristic  that  distin- 
guishes it  is  the  advancement  of  the  masses  in  the  march  of  civili- 
zation. In  the  patriarchal  time  the  authority  of  an  individual  was 
potential.  Not  only  flocks  and  herds  belonged  to  him,  but,  as  far 
as  the  eye  could  reach  over  the  outspread  plains,  his  dependents  ac- 
knowledged his  sway.  Even  in  the  civilization  of  Greece,  the 
influence  of  an  individual  was  powerfully  felt,  overriding  the  for- 
tunes of  the  people.  The  great  object  of  popular  favor  w^as  either 
the  Hero  or  the  State.  The  people  toiled  in  peace,  or  went  to  the 
battlefield,  to  magnify  the  one  or  the  other.  There  was  no  barrier 
set  up  for  the  protection  of  personal  rights.  What  we  call,  in 
modern  law,  political  liberty,  was  unknown.  There  was  no  general 
diffusion  of  humanizing  influences  which  ^  might  ameliorate  the 
character  of  the  people,  and  encourage  the  growth  of  domestic  vir- 
tues. The  Athenian  might  go  into  the  street  and  listen  to  an 
oration  from  Pericles  —  liberty  was  lauded ;  the  glory  of  the  State 
was  recited  in  glowing  terms  —  but  Aspasia  could  drive  Athens 
into  war  the  next  day,  and  sacrifice  the  people  to  her  passion. 

Rome  was,  for  a  great  while,  little  more  than  a  military  camp ; 
and  throughout  the  successive  periods  of  its  history  —  republican  or 
imperial  —  the  stern  qualities  of  the  soldier  were  nourished.  The 
steady  courage  which  bore  the  eagles  of  victory  over  the  world  ; 
the  hardy  virtues  which  enabled  the  legions  to  confront  armed  na- 
tions, and  to  defy  inhospitable  climes,  and  plant  their  Standard 
upon  the  distant  shores  of  the  Atlantic  —  these  were  nurtured. 

The  peculiar  characteristics  of  these  ancient  States,  in  the  devel- 
opment of  popular  taste  and  manners,  were  widely  different.  In 
Greece  the  love  of  the  beautiful  prevailed.  The  architecture  was 
absolutely  perfect.  The  temples  erected  under  the  clear  skies  were 
faultless  in  proportions  and  adornments.  Forms  of  life-like  and 
inimitable  grace  were  chiselled  from  the  purest  marble.  Its 
poetry  rivalled  its  architecture  and  statuary ;  but  the  finest  and 
noblest  verses  recite  the  exploits  of  heroes.  Homer's  great  men 
are  men  of  war.    It  was  not  enough  to  describe  Ulysses  as  wise ; 


ORATION. 


9 


he  was  so  strong  that  he  could  hurl  a  huge  fragment  of  rock  fur- 
ther than  other  men  could  throw  the  discus.  Its  oratory  was  bold, 
impetuous  and  stormy;  but  it  vindicated  the  independence  and 
glory  of  the  State,  itither  than  the  freedom  and  happiness  of  the 
people. 

In  Rome  the  elements  of  character  were  exhibited  in  forms  of 
sternness  and  strength.  From  the  capital  the  chariot  wheels  rolled 
out  over  a  subjugated  wwld ;  yet  little  was  accomplished  for  true 
civilization.  Its  proudest  works  of  art  were  triumphal  arches ;  its 
far-stretching  roads  were  highways  for  heavy  legions ;  its  bridges 
were  colossal  structures,  for  the  use  of  great  armies.  The  very 
sports  of  the  capital  of  the  world  were  fierce  and  cruel.  The  Coli- 
seum could  contain  one  hundred  thousand  spectators  — 
"  And  here  the  buzz  of  eac^er  nations  ran 

In  murmur' d  pity  or  loucl-i-oar"d  applause, 

As  man  was  shiughtered  by  his  fellow-man ! 

And  wherefore  slau£,ditered  ?    Wherefore,  but  because 

Such  were  the  bhjody  circus*  genial  laws, 

And  the  imperial  pleasure  ?  " 

Coming  to  later  times,  we  observe  that,  on  the  continent  of  Eu- 
rope, the  power  of  the  people  was  unknown  until  within  a  recent 
period.  In  France,  more  than  once,  the  people  have  sought  to  rear 
free  institutions ;  but  war  has  desolated  its  fair  plains,  and  it  is 
impossible  to  read  its  future.  Throughout  the  continent  the  ves- 
tiges of  vast  military  power  are  still  visible.  The  Baron  built  his 
castle,  and  his  vassals  crowded  into  villages  under  its  shadow. 
Upon  the  banks  of  the  Rhine  these  ruined  structures  —  half  palace, 
half  fortress  —  are  yet  to  be  seen  —  stern  relics  of  an  iron  age. 
England,  proud,  potent,  free  as  she  is  to-day,  felt  too  long  the  weight 
of  the  feudal  system. 

The  great  feature  that  marks  modern  civilization  is  the  increased 
importance  of  the  people.  We  have  reached  the  era  of  the  masses. 
Within  the  present  century  there  has  been  a  wonderful  improvement 
in  their  condition — physical,  social  and  political.  The  distance, 
between  tfie  privileged  classes  and  the  great  body  of  the  people  is 
less  to-day  than  it  ever  was.  Those  who  live  to  see  the  close  of  the 
nineteenth  century  may  witness  the  complete  enfranchisement  of  the 
human  race,  and  the  overthrow  of  every  throne  under  the  whole 
heavens.  The  great  truth  that  lies  deep  in  the  heart  of  the  people  — 
that  found  utterance  in  Magna  Charta — is  becoming  vocal  in  all 
the  languages  spoken  among  men :  that  the  rights  and  duties  of 
sovereign  and  subject  are  reciprocal;  and  that  the  failure  of  the 
government  to  protect  the  people  absolves  them  from  their  allegi- 
ance. Any  government  that  lays  its  hand  upon  the  liberty  of  the 
citizen  ought  to  be  subverted,  and  will  be,  sooner  or  later.  The 


10 


ORATION. 


spirit  of  liberty  cannot  be  cl'^stroyed.  Deep  waters  cannot  quench 
it;  mountains  may  be  heaped  on  it  —  it  will  yet  heave  the  ocean 
and  the  land,  and  flame  up  to  heaven. 

It  is  to  our  own  country  that  I  propose  to  limit  my  observations. 
The  influence  which  the  United  States  must  exert  over  the  fortunes 
of  the  human  race  gives  the  deepest  interest  to  an  inquiry  into  the 
elements  that  constitute  our  civilization.  Our  geographical  position 
is  commanding.  Our  possessions  stretch,  with  unbroken  continuity, 
over  the  continent  of  North  America.  On  the  Atlantic  we  con- 
front the  civilization  of  the  most  cultivated  nations  on  the  globe. 
On  the  Pacific  we  look  across  to  China  and  Japan.  Their  teeming 
population  begins  to  feel  the  current  of  modern  civilization  ;  and 
their  long  closed  gates  are  thrown  open  to  admit  the  commerce  of 
the  world.  We  have  just  completed  a  highway  for  the  travel  and 
commerce  of  Europe  and  Asia. 

In  the  United  States  you  may  pass,  w^ith  perfect  security,  from 
one  extremity  to  the  other.  A  package,  marked  with  your  initials, 
may  be  sent  safely  from  Boston  to  New  Orleans,  or  from  New  York 
to  San  Francisco,  without  its  wrappings  being  disturbed.  A  letter, 
conveying  the  most  important  intelligence,  under  the  cover  of  a 
single  envelope,  flies  across  the  continent,  to  the  hands  of  the  person 
for  whom  it  is  written.  You  travel  from  State  to  State  without 
passports,  your  trunks  free  from  inspection,  and  without  molestation 
of  any  kind.  Steam  obeys  your  wishes,  and  you  are  borne  with  a 
celerity  that  rivals  that  of  the  enchanted  horse,  described  in  the 
Arabian  Nights,  which  was  exhibited  at  Schiraz  to  the  Prince  of 
Persia.  Electricity  records  for  you  messages  every  day  from  all 
parts  of  the  world.  The  price  of  stocks  in  London  at  noon  to- 
day, and  the  arrest  of  a  leader  of  the  Commune  in  Paris — an 
event  that  occurred  at  Constantinople,  or  at  Alexandria,  in  Egypt, 
this  morning  —  you  may  know  before  sunset.  The  result  of  the 
late  election  for  President  was  known  by  10  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

Families  in  moderate  circumstances  enjoy  luxuries  wholly  beyond 
the  reach  of  wealthy  households  in  Europe,  until  quite  recently. 
There  are  more  comfortable  residences  —  more  cheerful  homes  — 
in  the  United  States,  than  in  any  other  country  on  the  globe.  Our 
laws  favor  the  distribution  of  property,  and  discourage  the  accumu- 
lation of  great"  estates.  This  creates  a  boundless  activity  in  all 
classes  of  society,  in  every  pursuit,  and  in  every  department  of  life. 
Every  man  in  this  country  is  engaged  in  money  m.aking.  Agricul- 
ture—  the  purest  of  human  pursuits;  the  mechanic  arts;  the  pro- 
fessions— including  lawyers,  doctors  and  teachers  —  all  feel  the  force 
of  the  current  that  sets  in  from  the  commercial  world.    It  flows 


ORATION. 


11 


through  society  with  the  power  and  warmth  of  tlie  Gulf-stream. 
Everywhere  we  see  a  splendid  material  civilization.  The  angel 
that  stands  in  the  sun,  and  surveys  the  successive  periods  of  human 
society,  never  looked  down  upon  anything  like  it. 

There  is  great  danger  that  the  commercial  spirit  will  acquire  a 
complete  ascendency ;  that  the  laws  of  trade  may  come  to  decide 
every  question  that  affects  life,  and  subordinate  the  heart  and  intel- 
lect to  its  metallic  sway.  The  utilitarian  philosophy  may  over- 
master us.  We  may  address  to  every  generous  scheme  and  noble 
enterprise  the  inevitable  cui  bono  f  The  sublimest  objects  of  the 
world  may  fail  to  impress  us :  the  outspread  heavens,  the  immeas- 
urable ocean,  and  the  great  mountains  lifting  their  ice-clad  brows 
to  the  skies.  Standing  in  the  presence  of  Niagara,  we  shall  pre- 
sently begin  to  calculate  its  importance  as  a  water-power.  If  every- 
thing is  to  be  estimated  at  its  market  value,  what  is  to  become  of 
the  graces  of  life  ?  How  is  the  soul  to  vindicate  its  divine  origin 
by  impelling  us  to  self-sacrificing  tasks  for  the  good  of  others?  If 
each  one  is  to  look  upon  his  neighbor  as  important  only  so  far  as 
he  may  be  useful  to  him,  who  does  not  see  that  the  better  qualities 
that  adorn,  and  dignify,  and  ennoble  humanity,  will  droop  and 
perish  ?  The  Priest  and  the  Levite  will  walk  along  our  highways, 
and  the  good  Samaritan  will  never  be  seen  there.  What  is  to  be- 
come of  the  fine  arts?  of  poetry?  of  oratory?  of  heroism,  in  every 
form  ?  Was  Apelles  thinking  of  the  price  of  his  picture  when  he 
replied  to  a  friend  who,  entering  his  studio,  inquired  why  he  be- 
stowed so  much  labor  on  it:  "I  paint  for  eternity?"  Was  Phidias 
speculating  as  to  the  sum  he  should  receive  for  his  work,  when  his 
chisel  cut  from  the  marble  block  Lacoon  and  his  sons  writhing  in 
the  folds  of  the  huge  serpent  just  come  out  of  the  sea?  Did  De- 
mosthenes find  his  inspiration  in  the  hope  of  preferment,  when  he 
denounced,  with  terrible  energy,  the  advancing  Macedonian?  Did 
Milton  compose  that  most  glorious  of  all  poems,  Paradise  Lost,  to 
sell  it  in  the  market?  Alas!  he  received  but  five  pounds  for  the 
manuscript. 

There  is  great  danger  in  this  rank  utilitarian  spirit.  Men  may 
deal  so  much  in  money  as  to  estimate  everything  by  it:  friendship, 
love,  liberty,  religion.  We  have  made  such  a  rapid  advance  in 
material  civilization  that  w^e  seem  fairly  open  to  the  criticism  of 
Burke  upon  his  own  time,  extorted  by  the  fate  of  the  lovely  Marie 
Antoinette,  Queen  of  France:  "But  the  age  of  chivalry  is  gone; 
that  of  sophisters,  economists  and  calculators  has  succeeded."  We 
are  in  great  danger  of  meriting  Diderot's  celebrated  hon  mot,  ap- 
plied to  another  people:  "They  rotted  before  they  ripened." 


12 


ORATION. 


Wealth  is  entitled  to  consideration  when  it  comes  to  reward  honest 

toil  and  honorable  enterprise.    It  is  worthy  of  all  praise  when  it 

is  employed  for  the  advancement  of  the  happiness  of  our  race. 

George  Peabody  rivals  John  Howard  in  the  veneration  of  mankind. 

Both  will  go  down  to  the  coming  generations  with  the  noblest  of 

earthly  titles  —  Philanthropist.    But  nothing  is  so  vulgar  as 

wealth,  when  it  is  hoarded  with  meanness,  or  lavished  to  pamper 

pride,  or  exhibited  with  insolent  ostentation.    The  social  position 

which  it  enables  one  to  attain  who  lacks  true  nobleness  of  nature 

only  exposes  him  to  contempt.    The  lines  of  Burns  still  thrill  the 

heart  of  every  true  man  and  every  true  woman  : 

The  rank  is  but  the  guinea  stamp  ; 
The  man's  the  gowd  ibr  a'  that." 

No  man,  who  deserves  the  name,  will  seek  his  friends  among  the 

rich,  merely  because  they  are  rich ;  nor  will  any  woman,  whose 

heart  is  pure,  sell  her  person  to  the  highest  bidder  in  the  market, 

when  he  has  won  neither  her  respect  or  affection.    Wealth  is  an 

accident  that  may  be  won  or  lost;  but  a  true  man  is  of  inestimable 

value ;  and  the  price  of  a  virtuous  woman  is  far  above  rubies.  The 

most  ignoble  of  all  servility  is  that  which  we  pay  to  Mammon, 

"  the  least  erected  spirit  that  fell 
From  heaven  —  for,  ev'n  in  heaven,  his  looks  and  thoughts 
^Yere  always  downward  bent,  admiring  more 
The  riches  of  heaven's  pavement  —  trodden  gold  — 
Than  aught  divine  or  hoh-  else  enjoj^ed 
In  vision  beatific." 

He  who  falls  down  and  worships  him  may  receive  his  reward,  but, 
sooner  or  later,  the  victim  will  throw  down  the  pieces  for  which  he 
sold  himself  Avith  a  despair  too  deep  to  be  ministered  to  by  human 
skill,  and  over  which  the  rustling  wings  of  no  angel  that  visits  the 
world  to  cheer  the  unfortunate  will  ever  be  heard.  The  philosophy 
that  scoffs  at  love  and  religion,  and  looks  with  contempt  on  the 
beautiful;  that  surveys  the  glorious  works  of  art  that  genius  has 
produced,  and  asks,  "  What  is  all  this  worth?"  is  at  once  the  mean- 
est and  the  most  demoralizing  spirit  that  ever  undertook  to  instruct 
mankind.  The  want  of  the  faculty  that  enables  us  to  appreciate 
anything  good  or  beautiful  is  to  be  deplored.  The  greatest  of  all 
dramatists  has  said : 

"The  man  that  hath  no  music  in  himself. 
Nor  is  not  mov"d  with  concord  of  sweet  sounds, 
Is  fit  for  treasons,  stratagems  and  spoils  ! 
The  motions  of  his  spirit  ar.e  dull  as  night. 
And  his  aftections  dark  as  Erebus  ! 
Let  no  such  man  be  trusted." 

But  the  utilitarian  spirit  that  so  demoralizes  a  nature  originally 

noble  as  to  bring  it  to  count  nothing  of  any  worth  that  does  not,  in 

some  way,  yield  gold,  is  as  dangerous  to  society  as  the  presence  of 


OEATION. 


13 


Satan  in  the  garden  of  Eden.  It  scoffs  at  all  generous  emotions, 
and  finds  its  true  impersonation  in  him  who,  standing  by  when  the 
w^eeping  Mary  broke  the  alabaster  box  of  spikenard,  very  precious, 
and  poured  it  on  that  Divine  head  so  soon  to  droop  under  the 
weight  of  the  world's  sin  and  woe,  cried  out:  "Why  this  waste?" 
"VVe  must  subdue  this  spirit  by  encouraging  the  arts  that  refine  and 
the  studies  that  ennoble,  and  by  bringing  our  hearts  under  the  in- 
fluence of  the  teachings  that  find  their  inspiration  in  the  words  of 
Him  who,  seated  on  the  Mount  of  Olives,  uttered  truths  more 
beautiful  than  any  ever  heard  in  the  schools  of  antiquity,  and  doc- 
trines so  full  of  divine  authority  that  we  listen  to  them  with 
blended  astonishment  and  adoration. 

Here,  upon  this  broad  territory  of  ours,  with  a  wonderful  aggre- 
gation of  all  the  elements  of  wealth,  and  an  increase  of  population 
more  rapid  than  any  country  at  any  period  has  exhibited,  the 
problem  of  society  organized  under  the  theory  of  self-government 
is  to  be  worked  out.  It  is  impossible  to  regard  it  without  the  pro- 
foundest  interest.    Stupendous  problem ! 

The  institutions  under  which  we  live  are  new.  They  are  essen- 
tially free  and  popular.  It  is  quite  an  error  to  suppose  that  they 
were  formed  upon  any  model  that  ever  existed.  The  Government 
of  the  United  States  was  a  creation.  The  men  who  established  it 
were  acquainted  with  all  that  history  could  teach.  In  Asia  the 
government  was  a  simple  despotism.  In  Greece  the  democratic 
form  had  been  tried.  Kome  was,  for  some  time,  republican  in 
name.  In  modern  Europe  a  limited  monarchy  had  been  adopted 
as  the  best  attainable  form.  Our  system,  the  most  complex  ever 
organized,  differed  from  all  these.  The  people  of  States  already  in 
existence  established  a  Government  to  embrace  all  these  —  a  Fede- 
ral Republic.  Great  powers  were  conferred  on  the  Federal 
Government ;  but  all  powers  not  delegated  to  it  by  the  Constitution, 
nor  prohibited  to  the  States,  were  reserved  to  the  States  respectively, 
or  to  the  people. 

The  Republic  was  capable  of  the  widest  expansion.  Objects  of 
national  interest  were  under  the  control  of  the  General  Government. 
Every  other  interest  was  to  be  protected  and  regulated  by  the 
States.  The  will  of  the  people  was  to  be  expressed  through  their 
representatives,  in  certain  prescribed  forms,  and  subject  to  clearly 
defined  restrictions.  The  States  were  to  be  States  still.  Every- 
thing was  subordinate  to  the  Constitution  — that  Avas  supreme. 
Massachusetts,  or  Xew  York,  might  legislate  for  her  people  just  as 
she  saw  fit,  so  long  as  her  laws  did  not  infringe  that.  So,  too, 
might  South  Carolina,  or  Georgia.    A  tier  of  Northern  States, 


14 


ORATION. 


united  in  support  of  a  common  policy,  might  undertake  to  control 
the  Government ;  but  they  had  no  right  to  drive  it  beyond  the  well- 
defined  limits  *traced  for  it ;  nor  had  the  Southern  States,  bound  to 
each  other  by  a  powerful  interest.  The  political  system  organized 
by  the  Federal  Convention  was  not  a  compact,  but  a  Government. 

It  is  not  my  purpose  to-day  to  discuss  questions  so  lately  decided 
by  the  arbitrament  of  war.  So  long  as  the  contest  raged,  while  I 
deplored  it,  and  was  not  in  any  way  responsible  for  its  inauguration, 
I  stood  with  my  people.  It  is  ended.  Our  banners  are  laid  aside. 
We  mourn  our  dead  heroes.  I  turn  to  the  South  —  my  own 
Souths — my  stricken  and  bereaved  mother — ^^and,  taking  up  the 
lamentation  of  David,  I  exclaim;  "The.  beauty  of  Israel  is  slain 
upon  thy  high  places  !"  I  honor  the  men  who  stood  for  us  in  bat- 
tle; "they  were  swifter  than  eagles;  they  were  stronger  than  lions." 
Our  noble  women,  efiiulating  the  constancy  of  Rizpah,  will  protect 
their  remains,  and  with  every  returning  spring  scatter  flowers  upon 
their  graves. 

But,  my  countrymen,  the  great  tasks  of  life  lie  before  us,  and  we 
must  address  ourselves  to  them.  This  great  country  is  our  country. 
The  Government  of  the  United  States  is  our  Government.  The 
mighty  problem  that  is  to  be  worked  out  on  this  continent  involves 
our  fortunes  and  the  fortunes  of  those  who  are  to  come  after  us. 
So  long  as  I  live  I  shall  try  to  do  something  for  my  country.  I 
know  that  many  are  despondent.  I  know  that  many  have  given 
up  all  hope  of  restoring  the  Government  to  what  it  was  in  the  bet- 
ter days  of  its  history.  There  has  been  so  much  of  wTong,  and  out- 
rage, and  ruin  ;  so  much  wickedness  in  high  places;  so  much  pros- 

•titution  of  political  power;  such  a  wanton  abuse  of  public  trusts; 

'  ^uch  an  outgrowth  of  gross  corruption  in  all  the  land,  that  men's 
hearts  are  failing  them  for  fear.  All  over  the  country  men  begin 
to  cry  out  for  change,  for  relief,  for  protection.  Some  demand  a 
master.  They  invoke  C^^esar!  They  would  have  an  Empire.  Now, 
I  wish  to  say  for  myself,  I  have  not  despaired  of  the  Republic. 
Let  others  forget  the  past;  let  them  ignore  history ;  let  them  con- 
sign to  oblivion  the  names  of  the  illustrious  men  who,  grouped 
about  Washington,  laid  the  foundations  of  this  Government ;  let 
them  clamor  for  the  throne,  and  the  scepter,  and  the  stars  and  gar- 
ters, and  ribbons;  but  I  take  my  stand  for  the  Republic.  Since 
the  close  of  the  dread  drama  which  this  country  has  so  lately  wit- 
nessed, some  men  have  come  to  think  that  the  ascendancy  of  mili- 
tary power  is  complete;  that  the  Constitution  is  forever  buried; 
that  the  people  will  bow  their  necks  to  a  master,  and  shout  when 
the  kingly  crown  is  offered  to  some  chieftain.    Let  them  not  deceive 


ORATION. 


15 


themselves.    The  spirit  of  liberty  has  survived  the  shock  of  arms. 

It  will  yet  assert  its  majesty,  and  drive  before  it  the  insolent  minions 

of  usurped  power,  as  Milton's  fallen  angels  fled  before  the  flashing 

sword  of  Abdiel. 

^'  Fond,  impious  men  —  tliimk  ye  yon  sanguine  cloud, 
Kais'd  Toy  your  breath,  hath  quench' d  the  orb  of  day? 
To-niorrow  lie  repairs  his  golden  flood, 
And  warms  the  nations  with  redoubled  ray." 

The  world  will  not  go  back  upon  its  course.    It  yet  moves  1 

The  traveller  in  Switzerland  sometimes  sees  the  Alps  swept  with 

the  fury  of  a  summer  storm,  when 

. "  Far  along, 
From  peak  to  peak,  tke  rattling  -erags  among, 
Leaps  the  live  thunder  !"  . 

The  cloud  hangs  upon  their  icy  pinnacles,  and  shuts  from  view  the 

green  slopes,  and  chaos  seems  -to  have  engulfed  the  landscape. 

Everything  is  lost  in  night,  and  storm,  and  darkness.    But  the 

morning  comes  with  its  peace,  and  the  sun  sheds  a  golden  glory 

over  the  mountain  sides,  and  touches  their  peaks  with  dazzling  fire. 

Men  are  sometimes  tempted.  S<$,  too,  are  nations.  They  seem 
to  stand  on  a  high  mountain,  and  see  the  kingdoms  of  this  world, 
and  the  glory  of  them,  in  a  moment  of  time ;  and  they  may  have 
all  if  they  will  only  bov^'  down  and  worship  the  great  fallen  arch- 
angel. There  are  in  this  country  men  v-zho  call  good  evil,  and  evil 
good.  We  are  in  the  midst  of  great  perils  ;  but  we  shall  come  out 
of  them.  It  was  when  Satan  seemed  t©  be  in  great  power  that  our 
Lord  saw  him,  like  lightning,  fall  from  heaven. 

I  have  been  accustomed  to  think,  and  I  still  think,  that,  in  the 
order  of  Providence,  we  have  a  great  work  to  do  for  ourselves  and 
for  the  nations.  We  must  accomplish  it.  We  must  not  go  back 
upon  our  steps.  The  name  of  Commonwealth.,  gone  over  half  the 
globe,  must  not  be  lost  here. 

There  is  no  man  so  strong  —  no  party  so  great  in  numbers  and 
resources  —  as  to  be  able  to  tear  down  the  great  ensign  of  the  Re- 
public, as  it  streams  in  the  winds  of  heaven  to-day,  and  run  up  in 
its  place  a  banner  emblazoned  with  imperial  arms. 

There  is  danger  of  consolidation  —  the  Empire,  under  the  name 
of  a  Republic.  The  late  contest  decided  one  question  —  the  perpe- 
tuity of  the  Union.  That  will  stand.  It  will  cover  this  continent. 
Our  eagles  will  fly  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  it.  There" 
is  another  question:  Shall  the  States  stand?  We  must  look  to  that. 
No  really  free  Government  can  exist  in  this  country  unless  we  pre- 
serve the  great  structural  peculiarities  of  our  political  system.  The 
States  must  assert  their  dignity  and  authority,  and  maintain  their 
sovereignty  inviolate. 


16- 


ORATION. 


Let  there  be  dq  Empire  I    Let  there  be  no  CoLisolidated.GQverii- 
mentl    Let  the  Kepublic  Stand,  embracing  free,  powerful,  sovereign 
:  States  !    Do  not  attempt,  to  embhizon  upon  its  gorgeous"  baqher  .a* 
■■"central  sun,  flooding  our^broad  territory  witU  its  dazzling  gplendo'r ; 
but  let  each' bright/'partictilar  star  stand,  the ' whole.  •fOTming-a  glo- 
rious CopstelLatian,  thfe  ethbleni  at  once  of  li^bi^rty  and  iPow"er. 
■  In  the^South  '\\;e  live  under  new -conditions.  'A  jieople,  lately  our 
slaves/have  been;. suddenly  emancipated..  '  Society^  .of  Qourse-,  feels 
the'shock.    I^ev^r  haye.aii]^  people  experienced  so  gpeat  a  change 
in  theitf* industrial  and  social  pursuits.    The  history  •  of  the  Avorld 
TQCords  no  such  pliehomenon.    These  people  —  a  large  proportion  of 
our'population.---,are  set  free"  they. are.  made  citizens;' they  enjoy 
•  the  pr6tfecti6n  of 'equal  laws,  and  participate  in  our  elections. 

•Now,  ift'  my  judgment,  the  future  of  this  race  must  be  what  we 
■'choose)  to  m.ake  it.  They  look  to  us  as  their  friends.  Let  us  accept 
.riie  trust  confided  to  us.  Without  regrets.' or  resentments,  let  us  do 
",^vhat  ^ve  can  to'encourage  them  to  fit  themselves  for  the  new  condi- 
,  tion  to'  which'  they  are  .  advanced.  AVe  must  antagonize  them,  or 
..■we-tnVist  rule  them  by  kindness.  Surely  we  need  not  hesitate  as  to 
tlje  wisei;  or.iiobler  course.  We  must  not  abandon  our  homes,  nor 
must  we  thrust  these  people  out  from  among  us.  Li  this  great  ag- 
ricultural region  there  must  be  no  conflict  between  capital  and 
labor.  .... 

We  shall  advance  to  a  higher  plane  of  civilization,  and  a  more 
abounding  prosperity  than  we  have  ever  yet  attained.  We  shall 
not,  own  the  laborer,  but  we  shall  control  labor.  The  laborer 
wilf  receive  compensation  for  the  performance  of  his  tasks,  and  wall 
become  a  responsible  worker,  doing  his  part  intelligently  toward 
making  the* community  richer  and  happier. 

§uch  is  the  horoscope  of  our  country,  as  I  read  it  to-day.  Here 
wiU'  grow  up  the  mightiest  nation  that  has  ever  existed.  The  great 
Empires  of  Asia  are  gone;  .the  States  of  Greece  have  perished; 
Rome— .republican  and  imperial — lives  only  in  the  ruins  that 
crown  the  seyen  hills;  Carthage  is  destroyed;  the  monarchies  of 
modern  Europe  are  perplexed  with  fear  of  change;  here  is  the  seat 
of  a  Government  at  once  jwwerful  and  free,  whose  standard  is 
gilded  l>y  the  beams  of  the  sun  as  he  rises  from  the  Atlantic  waves, 
and  bathed  in  his  dying  splendors  as  he  descends  beneath  the  Pa- 
cific Ocean ;  a  Government  yet  destined,  we  may  ho^e,  to  be  what 
the  earnest; and  faithful  friends  of  humanity  of  all  ages  have 
longed  to  see  — the  desire  of  nations ;  the  abode  of  Law,  of  Liberty, 
of  Religion;  an  enduring  Republic! 


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